9 killed as explosion rocks ammunition depot in Iraq

BAGHDAD

Nine security guards were killed in an explosion at an ammunition warehouse in Iraq's northern Salahuddin province on Wednesday, according to a local police officer.

The explosion occurred during the dismantling of improvised explosives in Baiji city, police Captain Hamid al-Obeidi told Anadolu Agency.

During the fighting against Daesh/ISIS terrorist group in 2014-2017, Iraqi security forces seized a large number of explosives belonging to the notorious group.

The seized explosives are usually kept in warehouses with inadequate infrastructure. Explosions can occur in these warehouses, especially in the summer months when temperatures exceed 50 degrees.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat